New York Trailering Rules

1001WordsPhoto · Mar 10, 2014

I have a New Holland SubCompact tractor with a front bucket. I want to trailer it and drive it across town on local roads, no highways. I have a pickup truck and a trailer that are current in registrations and inspections and can handle the load. I am a private citizen moving equipment for noncommercial use. If I am not driving the tractor on the local roads, do I need any plates or permits? Thanks for the help.

murphy1244 · Mar 10, 2014

:welcome:

jel1988 · Mar 10, 2014

Welcome

aczlan · Mar 10, 2014

If you are hauling a subcompact on a trailer, you don't really have to worry about anything but making sure its well tied down and the truck/trailer can handle the load...

Aaron Z

JJZ 109 · Mar 11, 2014

As long as your tow vehicle and trailer are registered and you're within the weigh limits you should be fine.
I remember many years ago there being "special commercial" plates that I used to see on tractors or other various equipment that would be driven on a public road, but I haven't seen that type of plate in years. Many of us NY residents have registered our trailers in Maine. In my case the fee went from $75 per year in NY to $99 for 5 years in Maine.

My Hoe · Mar 11, 2014

JJZ 109 said:
As long as your tow vehicle and trailer are registered and you're within the weigh limits you should be fine.
I remember many years ago there being "special commercial" plates that I used to see on tractors or other various equipment that would be driven on a public road, but I haven't seen that type of plate in years. Many of us NY residents have registered our trailers in Maine. In my case the fee went from $75 per year in NY to $99 for 5 years in Maine.

Hey JJZ,

DO tell me how this is legal! I am SO tired of New York State's "nannyism" (other than re: environmental and social issues) that I resent paying their (near highest) taxes.

Does one have to own property in Maine, to do this? If not, please regale me. I'm "all ears," as my dear, departed Grandpa was wont to say.

Fascinated.

My Hoe

aczlan · Mar 11, 2014

See: How To | Maine Trailer Registration for one that several members on here use

Aaron Z

radioman · Mar 11, 2014

1001WordsPhoto said:
I have a New Holland SubCompact tractor with a front bucket. I want to trailer it and drive it across town on local roads, no highways. I have a pickup truck and a trailer that are current in registrations and inspections and can handle the load. I am a private citizen moving equipment for noncommercial use. If I am not driving the tractor on the local roads, do I need any plates or permits? Thanks for the help.

I am not sure what you are asking here? Normally you should not need any special plates or permits just for moving your tractor around in NYS as long the trailer is rated for the combined weight of tractor/implements/equipments and weight of trailer. If your truck is rated to tow the trailer max weight, and you have tractor tied down properly with straps or chains ( I prefer chains). Also as long what ever is attached to tractor doesnt stick out wider then 9.5 ft and 4 ft past trailer - its legal. When tieing down tractor - pretend you are moving it commercially- 4 separate chains on tractor in X fashion and strap/chain on FEL and additional straps/chains on each implement. All hooks of straps/chains always looped inside of a pocket or frame and back up and hooked upright so the weight of hook is hooked upright so it less likely to fall off and the chain/strap is inside of strap/pocket prevents it flapping around dangerously if it comes unhooked. Do it this way will not get a closer look from local DOT but they dont seems to bother private owners anyway.

radioman · Mar 11, 2014

almost forgot -- in NYS - if towing more then 3500 lbs- gotta have brakes on trailer. Also if you have tandem axles then both axles must have brakes as per NYS.

1001WordsPhoto · Mar 11, 2014

Thank you all for the input. My trailer is a dual axle with brakes at each wheel, and is rated to care about double the tractor weight. Come spring time, I will be moving this back and forth to get yard work done at my family properties. Thank for the help.

Does anyone know if I can drive the tractor on the local roads? I need to install the triangle reflector and test all the lights, but do I need a plate for that? I can't find a tractor registration in the NYS DMV that isn't for "farm equipment". It would be easier if I owned a farm.

Again, thanks for the welcome and the help.